Automatic stop for sound-reproducing machines



Feb. 20, 1923.. Y LMMM A. G. ATWELL AUTOMATIC STOP FOR SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINES Patented Folio no, lhfido ARTHUR o. iirwnnn, or nnwronr, nnonn rsnnnn AUTOMATIC STOP F0115 SOUND-REPRODUCING IMAGHINES.

Application filed retinal-yea, 1922. Serial No. 537,799.

To all! ii m it may concern Be it known that I, lhIITI-IUR. (l. AirwnLL, a citizenoi the United States, and a resident of Newport, in the county oi Newport and SState of Rhode Island, have invented in Improvement in Automatic Stops for Sound-Reproducing hlachines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. p

This invention relates ,to automatic stop devices for sound reproducing machines, and has for its object the provision of an e'l'iic-ient but simply constructed stop mechanism adapted to stop automatically the sound reproduction at some predetermined point.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when iota-ken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one speciiic embodiment there of, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan View of a portion of a common type of sound reproduc ing machine, thelatter having one embodiment of the invention applied thereto in operative relation to the turntable and 301 tone arm; i F 2 is a slde elevation of the stop mech anism shown in Fig. lilooking slde opposite the tone arm; Fig- 3 is a front elevationpartly n sec from the tionof the stop mechanism looking radially outward from the" center of the turn-tal'J-le;

and i r Fig. 4: is a plan View partly in section showing the different positions otthe corn to tact arm and brake member.

Referring to the drawings and to the illustrated embodiment of the invention therein illustrated, although capable oilapplication to various types of sound reproducmgr inai5 chines, it is there shown as appliedto a com mon type,of which there is merely shown a portion of the tone'arm 7 with its attached sound box 9, a needle or other reproducer 11 and the cooperatively related turn-table 13,

" the latter having a down-turned edge flange or rim 15. i

lll'erein the mechanism is adapted to auto matically stop the reproduction of sound by stoppage ot' the motion of the turntable,

and this takes placewhen the, reproduce-r has reached or approximated the inner end of terminus of the sound record groove presented by the record let. This maybe controlled in various ways, but herein the stop mechanism is controlled by effecting contact between a tone arm perhliere-in the side of the tone arm 7, and a contact piece 17 on the stop mechanism, the latter located within the path of the tone arm and adapted to be engaged when the latter has up: preached the termlnus of the sound groove. i i

lhis contact piece is operatively related to a suitable brake memberby connections to be described, so that when engaged by the tone arm it moves to instantly apply the brake to the outer face of the turn-table flange 15. f Referring to the drawings, and particularly to F 1 to S, inclusive, thesto p uiechuni'sm supported upon abuse plate U19 secured to the l 'ame 21 0f the reproducing machinc,'at one side of the tone arm and at the outside of the turn-table 13,as will be seen in Fig", 1.. The plate 19 herein provides support for a brake carrying member 23,the latter consisting of a rod or shaft carrying at its end a brake member 25, which latter is located in operative relationto and at a suital'ile'distance from the outer face of the turn-, table flange 15. The brake member 25may be of any suitable material, such, for example, as leather, so that whenit is brought incon'tact with. the flange it will create sutli cient friction to bring; the turn-table to rest. The support for the rod 23 isherein conveniently provided by rip-turned portions 27 and 29 of the base plate 19, the rod being capable of both a longitudinal and rocking movement in these supports. To urge the brake member toward and against theturntable flange, suitable means are provided,

such as a coiled spring- 31 interposed between the plat-e27 and theiuzier face ofthe brake member, and the latter, as shown. may be a .l-'

just-ably mounted on the threaded end of the rod23 so as to permit udjustment of its position relatively to the turn-table flange.

brake rod as the latter turns, and may also be moved bodily with the brake rod when the latter is drawn inwardly by the spring 31.

When the device is set in position for use, the contact carrying arm is held in a fixed position, herein substantially upright, with the brake member retracted and the spring 31 compressed. Nhen the reproducer approaches the terminus of the sound record groove, the contact piece 1'? is engaged by the tone arm and the contact carrying arm released from its set position, permitting the spring 3l to move the brake member against the turn-table flange and bring the later to rest.

To hold the contact carrying arm in set position, While permitting its release under a very slight pressure from the tone arm, i have provided a guiding device, which herein is in the form of a slot formed, tor convenience of manufacture, in the horizontally bent end 37 of the plate 29, the slot having a substantially straight portion (in. which the arm 33 is shown seated in Fig. ail and an open-ended inclined portion which is inclined toward the turn-table. T his arr-a" ment is such that when the arm 33 is swu a right-handedly, as viewed in Fig. 3, it moves through the inclined portion of the slot gradually retracting the brake member from the turntable flange until it seats itselt in the straight portion oi. the slot, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. In this position it is held set by the friction caused by the pressure of the brake applying spring, but, on any slight pressure urging it in a contra clockwise direction, it is released 'lron'i the straight portion of the slot and 'n'ioves quickly down the inclined portion thereof until the brake seats against the turn-table flange. Preferably, though not necessarily, the brake member 25 is adjusted at such a distance from the flange, and the strength of the brake applying spring is such, that the brake contacts with the turn-table flange and is effective to stop the same when the carrying arm 33 has reached some position within the slot, such as the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, so that it has a working: range within the limits of the slot 35 and is not required to leave the latter. The contact piece 17 being carried by the arm above the slot, a relatively great leverage is secured for the action of the tone arm so that a very slight pressure of the latter is suflicicnt to trip the brake.

The inclined inner wall of the slot 35 forms a guide which enforces a turning as well as an advancing movement of the arm 33 and the brake shaft 23 after the release of the latter, thereby providing an advancing movement which is substantially less than the total movement of the arm and shaft. This permits the employment of a small clearance between the brake member and the turn-table when the brake is set and minimizes the noise and shock which accompanies the impact of th men'ibcr against the turn-table.

To the thrust of the spring in applying the brake is also added the effect of the momentum oi? the parts carried by the contact carrying arm in swinging from the set position shown in full lines 111 Fig. l to the rcleased position shown in dotted lines therein.

The described form oil slop nicclninism may be used in conjunction with an adjustment carried either by the tone arm or the stop device so as to vary the point or iimc when contact takes place. In the dc:-'cribcd form or" apparatus this is :wcomplishcd by constructing: the contact piecc l! in the forn- 01 a cam which is secured to the tapered pin 39 by means ot the thumb nu'l' -&l-l. the pin being; seated in the bearing hlocl; 4;?) threadcd or otherwise secured to the upper cud oi the arm 33. The cam and tapered pin may thus be turned about its tapered bearing seat and set to dillcrent positions of adjustment, the contour ot the cam being; such that in these (lil'i'crent positions the tone arm is caused to contact with it at different. points in its path of travel. Coupled with the adjustable contact piece l7. there is prelei'ably provided an indicator point .5 scatcd in a recess on the top ol thc um 1'? so as to be relatively fixed thereon and sccui'cd to thc cam by the thumb nut -'l 1. together with a cooperating" graduated sennicnlul scale 4T. the latter being heroin lormed of sheet metal and having a supportiimj tUIlfIllO if. fixedly secured between the bearing: block -23 and the arm 33 so that the arm. block and dial piece are secured togigcthcr as one nicinluu.

The position at which the indicator must be set on the scale to! any particular i'ccoi'd can be 'eadily ascertained by placing the reprodncer near the end oi? the sound groove and adjusting: the contact arm to a position wl. re the release of the arm 33 from the straight poi-ton oi the slot 35 will takc place under the resulting pressure of the tone arm. The position on the scale beneath the pointer may then be marked upon the record for "Future relcrcncc. When a rccord is placed upon the turn-table it is only neeessarj to move the pointer to the number on the scale corresponding to that appearing on the record to insure the automatic stoppage of the turntable when the end of the sound groove has been reached.

Since the contact member is adjustablv mounted on the swinging arm 3 the device may be dillei'ently adjusted loi' separatc records without turning the arm or otherwise disturbing its relation to the .shmildcrcd portion of the slot which i'cleasably holds it in set position. Any slight shaping oi the shoulder or arm relatively to each other which may be availed of to increase or de- Lad-6,81%

crease the delicacy of release is not therefore disturbed by the adjustment records.

While Ihave herein shown for the pin pose of illustration one specific embodiment of the invention, itis to be understood that the smile not limited to the form or relative arrangement oi parts or to mechanical to different details herein shown, but that various applications oi the same may be made and extensive deviations: had from the illus trated details without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims: 1. An automatic stop mechanism having a turn-table brake, a brake appiylng member to which the brake is attached, the same COHIPIISHIQ a rod capable of a turning move-' ment and also a longitudinal brake-applying movement, a spring to move said member toward a brake-applying position, a contact carrying member comprising. an upright, swinging arm secured to th brake applying member and movable with the same, means to releasablyhold the arm set with the bralreapplying memberretracted but permitting said arm to he released by pressure of the tone arm to cause a spring;

actuated brake-applying movement, said to move said member toward a brake applying position, a swinging contactcarrying member secured to the brake applying member and movable with the same, means to releasably hold the contact carrying member set with the brake applying member retracted, but permitting said contact carryinp; member to be released under action of the tone arm to cause a spring; actuating.

brake-applyingmovement and a contactpiece adjustably mounted on said contact carrying member. I

3. automatic stop mechanism having; a turntable brake. a rod to which the same is secured said rod having longitudinal movement and aturning movement, an arm secured to saidrod. a tone arm contact carried by said arm andadjustably mounted thereon,and a guide to hold said arm and rod. retracted butto permit the same to be released under pressure of the tone arm to cause a spring: actuated bralre-a nilying movement.

4}. An automatic stop mechanism having the turn-table brake the brake member 23, the swinging arm secured thereto, the guide 35 providing for both an advancing and a turning movement oi? the brake memher when the arm 33 is released, the contact 17, and the spring; 31.

5..An automatic stop mechanism for a sound I'GPIOflllClDQj machine having a turn table brake, a sliiiling, brake-carrying: rock shaft, a swinging contact arm carried thereby, a contact piece adjust-ably mounted thereon and the arm. and shaft retracted.

6. An automatic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine having a turntable brake, releasable brake carrying; member, means to enforce after release both a swinging movement and a longitudinal brake applying movement thereof, and a spring tending to move SalLliHGIHl'JG/I toward a brake applying position.

7. An automatic stop inechanism tor a sound reproducing machine having stop devices, including a contact arm, a brake carryingr member connected therewith and movable as a unit, a spring tending to move said member toward a bralre applying position, and means to cause said member after release to have both a turning; and advancing movement.

8. An automatic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine having; a turntable brahe, abrakc carryingmember normally restrained against brake-applying; movement and having): two movements including a brake-applying movement and a releasing movement means to impart a re leasingmovement to said member through movement of the tone arm and a spring: tending to move said member toward a brake-applying position the releasing move- Iment at said member being greater than the brake applying movement.

9. An automatic stop mechanism having a turn-table brake,-

brake carrying member having a turning movement and a longitudinal brahe applying movement, meansto hold the brake applying member retracted, and means to set it in motion byengapgement with a tone arm part to turn the brake applying member and impart thereto a brakeapplyinp; movement, said means including guiding devices to cause said member both to turn and advance after being: released.

10. sln automatic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine having a stop device and controlling means therefor, in cluding a rock shaft, :1 contact carrying arm associated therewith, a contact piece adjustablv mounted thereon and devices to permit said contact carrying arm to be releasably held in ii. id position with said rock shaft longitudinally retracted.

ll. An automatic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine having a stop device and controlllng means therefor. in-

a device torreleasaliily holding" eluding a rock shaft, a contact carrying arm, a contact piece adjustably mounted thereon and a slotted guiding member controlling the position of said arm and adttlil'tet'l to permit it to be re easably set in fixed position. I

12. .sin automatic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine, incluoing a. turn-table lralre and means for controlling the same coinprisin a rock shaft having its end tornied to present a contact carrying arm, and means to releasably set said arm in fixed position including a guide which )I'OVltlQS for both a longitudinal and a turning increment of the rock shai't when said arm is released.

18. An autoni Vic stop mechanism for a sound reproducing machine having a stop device, with means for ontrolling the same, includin a rock shaft, an arm secured thereto, a spring to move said arm and shaft 1ongitudinally, means to hold said arm in a fixed position, and a guice'to enforce both longitudinal and a turning movement oi the arm and rock shaft when the arm is released.

14. An automatic stop n'iechanism for a sound reproducing machine having a brake member, a rock shaft on the end of which said brake member is carried, an arm secured to said rock shaft, 21 contact piece djnsta-bly mounted thereon, a spring tendii'ig to more aid rocir shaft toward a brakeapplying position, means to hold said arm and roclr shaft retracted, and means to cause retraction of the same when said arm is swung to a setting position, the latter being releasable by engagement with a tone arm part.

15. An automatic stop mechanism tor a sound reproducing machine having a movable stop member having an adjustable contact piece adapted to be engaged by the tone arm part, said contact piece having a tupered bearing seat in said n'iorahle member.

16. in automatic stop mechanism for pbonographs having atnr11-tuble brake, a rock shaft for applying the brake, an upright member connected to the rock shatt, a contact part adjustably mounted on said upright member adapted to be engaged by the tone arm, and means to hold said member set in position to be engaged by the tone arm but to cause instant movement thereoi when said contact part is so engaged, said means inchuling a spring, the prcz-surc or which is utilized to hold said member set but to more the san'ie when the contact piccc is engaged by the tone arm.

17. in automatic stop mechanism for phc-uographs haying a turn-table bralrc, :1 rock shaft for applying the brake, an upright member connected to the rock shaft, a contact part adjustably mounted on upright member adapted to be engaged by the tone arm, and means to hold said men'ib-er set in position to be engaged by the tone arm but to cause instant movement thcreot' when said contact part is so engaged.

18. An automatic stop mechanism for phonographs having a turn-table brake. a rock shaft for applying the brake, an upright ineinl'icr connected to turn the rock shatt, a contact part zuljustably mounted on said upright member adapted to be engaged by the tone arm, and a normally restrained spring, releasable through tone-arm morezncnt, to more the rock shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my naiaie to this specification.

LRTHUR G. ATlVELL. IL. s] 

